Wildfire Reaches Historical Town Jasper: Multiple Buildings Gone!
Wildfire reaches historical town Jasper as it threatens to destroy the historical resort town of Jasper, engulfing houses and businesses in a wall of flames. Strong winds caused the wildfire to flare up into a firestorm, and it burnt so quickly and fiercely that ash and flames shot hundreds of feet into the sky. Multiple images and videos surfaced over night on social media showing multiple buildings consumed by fire in Jasper.
Although the full amount of the destruction is unknown, several structures in the historical townsite located in the centre of Jasper National Park have been destroyed, according to park officials. Park officials have stated that there has been “significant loss” in Jasper, although they have not provided particular building or neighbourhood damage information. Officials stated that crews were battling to preserve as many buildings as they could.
According to the Alberta government, as of Wednesday afternoon, 59 of the flames were deemed to be “out of control,” and over 17,500 people were thought to be under evacuation orders.
Jasper National Park tweeted yesterday about very difficult day for Jasper ask wildfires rage around and in the historical town but no details have been mentioned.
Park officials mentioned that fire is spreading about 15 meters per minute as 3-400 feet flames push forward due to high wind and very dry conditions.
Officials said that as the fire burned through additional fuel, the air quality became unsafe, forcing fire men without breathing protection to escape to the neighbouring town of Hinton. In the mountain town of Alberta, structural firefighters stayed behind to guard vital infrastructure.
READ MORE: Jasper Wildfire Out of Control!
After closing it earlier in the day, the City of Calgary reopened its Jasper wildfire evacuee reception centre late on Wednesday. As the day progresses, more information surface about the extent of damages and fire spreading across the National Park and the historical town Jasper..
